LAW 804 Legal Research and Writing Skills (3 hours) Use of research materials, legal writing, the fundamentals of legal analysis, and the solution of selected legal problems.

LAW 805 TORTS (4 hours)Intentional torts and defenses, and the basic elements of negligence law, including duty and standard of care, causation in fact and proximate cause. Strict liability and products liability, as well as other select issues of tort law.

LAW 810 CRIMINAL LAW (3 hours)The criminal act, complete and incomplete; criminal intent, actual and constructive; duress and mistake of fact, of law; justification; parties in crime; crimes against the person and crimes against property.

LAW 815 CIVIL PROCEDURE I (3 hours) Introduction to the civil action; personal and in rem jurisdiction; service of process and notice; subject matter jurisdiction; venue; choice of law; pleading.

LAW 820 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I (3 hours) Judicial interpretation of the constitution; the federal system; powers of the national government; limitations on the exercise of state powers; separation of powers.

LAW 804 Legal Research and Writing Skills (3 hours) Use of research materials, legal writing, the fundamentals of legal analysis, and the solution of selected legal problems.

LAW 805 TORTS (4 hours)Intentional torts and defenses, and the basic elements of negligence law, including duty and standard of care, causation in fact and proximate cause. Strict liability and products liability, as well as other select issues of tort law.

LAW 810 CRIMINAL LAW (3 hours)The criminal act, complete and incomplete; criminal intent, actual and constructive; duress and mistake of fact, of law; justification; parties in crime; crimes against the person and crimes against property.

LAW 815 CIVIL PROCEDURE I (3 hours) Introduction to the civil action; personal and in rem jurisdiction; service of process and notice; subject matter jurisdiction; venue; choice of law; pleading.

LAW 820 CONSTITUTIONAL LAW I (3 hours) Judicial interpretation of the constitution; the federal system; powers of the national government; limitations on the exercise of state powers; separation of powers.

this is pretty standard. under the quarter system you get one elective in the spring here, but two quarters of civ pro, contracts, torts, property, and criminal law.

The remainder of law school will be, quite literally, up to you and what you wish to focus on. Electives tend to dominate the last half of your legal education, allowing you to study the courses you are most interested in and that you desire to specialize in.

Most law students enjoy law school more during the second half of their legal education because it isn't so dogmatic and rigid.

My school is apparently trying to switch things up inre: the first year curriculum. Essentially, I will take Torts, Criminal Law, Civ Pro and legal writing/research first semester; Contracts, property, con law, elective and LWR second semester. I am thinking this might be beneficial in the way of less exams but tough in the sense of more material to cover in a quicker time. Any thoughts on one semester course difficulty vs courses that span the entire first year?

I will be a 1L this fall and this rigid course load seems a bit overwhelming for me. I really feel completely clueless on this new journey. Anyone have any good advice?

First of all, relax. It is overwhelming for most 1L's.You are clueless (like every other soon to be law student is, whether they admit it or not).The rigid course load is designed that way for a reason. Taking basic law classes is a great way to teach you how to think about the law. It also lays the foundation for the more advanced classes where an understanding of the basic legal concepts of tort law, contract law, criminal law, etc. will form the basis.Don't worry - you'll feel clueless at least until you've completed your first semester if not longer. Try to enjoy the process.